James Lawrence Crystal

James Lawrence Crystal, 80 years old of Lafayette, passed away October 24th, 2026, at Creasy Springs. He battled colon cancer for 3 years and recently lung cancer.

He was born on September 19th, 1946, to James Floyd and Mary Fuchs Crystal. He graduated from Seeger Memorial High School in 1966 and joined the Navy shortly thereafter. He served at Mare Island, California from June 1966 to December 1969 teaching young service men how to operate the PBR boats used in Vietnam. Then he served on board the USS Indra from December 1969 to 1970. He was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1972.

He married Cynthia Starr Ransom on December 21st, 1968, at St. Xavier Catholic Church in Attica, In. They were married for 57 years. He retired from Purdue University in 2008 after 26 years as a heavy equipment operator.

He was a member of St. Mary Immaculate Conception Cathedral, the Eagles Club, the American Legion and NRA. He was a member of the Vintage Cushman Motorbike Club. He had a vintage 1959 Cushman Super Eagle which he took every year to the Cushman Swap Meet.

He was a drummer for many bands throughout his life beginning with the band "The Starlites" in High School. They made two recordings of their original songs in Nashville. He retired from playing drums in 2008. He was a talented mechanic, and loved John Deere Tractors. Enjoyed antiquing with his wife, collecting die cast cars, trucks, King Kong figures, classic monster movie figurines. He and his son Bud enjoyed watching wrestling on TV from the early days of Dick the Bruiser to this past year's WrestleMania with favorite wrestler being Goldberg. He also loved taking care of the family farm in West Lebanon now owned by his daughter Laura. He enjoyed working together with her on tractors and teaching her the skills of maintaining the farm. He enjoyed time with his youngest son Joe, teaching him how to shoot many different hand guns and rifles.

Surviving along with his wife Starr are 3 children Laura Lee Crystal, Mark Alan "Bud" Crystal (Melanie) and Joseph Paul Crystal (Heather). Also, 6 grandchildren, Carrie Lee Goodrick, Erin Nicole Goodrick, Isaiah Charles Crystal, Cole Trevin Crystal (Katelyn), Zoey Michele Crystal, Alex Jay Crystal. Along with 3 great grandchildren, Cory Lee Thomas, Jaime Jo Ann Thomas, Marshall Thomas Wessel. Great, great granddaughter Marlee Rose Thomas and great grandson Weston James Crystal due in April 2027. Surviving sister Mary Jane Tam (Charlie) of Lafayette. Several nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents and his granddaughter Carrie Lee Goodrick and nephew Neal Wesley Tam.

A memorial visitation and mass will be posted at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mary’s Cathedral. Hahn-Groeber Funeral Home of Lafayette is honored to serve the Crystal family. Please leave memories and condolences at hahngroeberfuneralhome.com